Rec area groundbreaking set for ’18

Concept calls for sports fields, hiking trails

PORTLAND — Members of the Route 17 Recreational Complex Steering Committee hope to break ground on the $6 million project next spring.

However, it will likely be 2019 before the complex will be ready for use by residents, Brian J. McCarthy, committee chairman told members of the Board of Selectmen Wednesday. Even then, some playing fields may not be ready for use until 2020, McCarthy said.

“This is a two-year program,” First Selectwoman Susan S. Bransfield said Thursday.

In the meantime, committee members are reviewing and refining their proposal “with an eye toward making sure we have a project that is biddable on the

first (try),” McCarthy said. As it continues its review, the committee is intent upon separating “the ‘nice to haves’ from ‘the must haves,” McCarthy said.

However, “We’re committed to having all the amenities that were included in the original design,” McCarthy added.

The committee has been working with project engineers Weston & Sampson and “the (final) design is essentially done,” McCarthy said, adding he expects the review to be complete in January. After then, bid documents can be prepared for interested contractors.

The state Department of Transportation has approved the entrance to the recreation complex, McCarthy said.

In 2016, residents approved a $10 million infrastructure bond that included $6 million for construction of the complex on the 37-acre Goodrich property. Plans call for a mix of active and passive recreation on the site.

Among the offerings: two baseball fields, two soccer fields, a splash pad, playground area, basketball court, both walking and hiking trail networks, in addition to an exercise circuit and a concession stand. In all, the recreation complex will use 23 acres on the parcel. The remaining 14 acres will be left undeveloped, for use by hikers and bird watchers, according to the committee’s proposal.

In response to a question from Selectman Michael A. Pelton about whether the complex would be ready for use next fall, McCarthy said, “That might be tough.” While some attractions in the complex could be ready by then, McCarthy noted work would be continuing on other parts, “so there might be some safety issues,” he said.

Instead, “We’re looking at a phasing plan” — opening different sections of the area at different times, McCarthy said.

“What’s your biggest challenge?” Pelton asked.

“The fields, because you don’t just start playing sports on them until the greenfields have had time to mature,” McCarthy said.

“The turf has to be ‘established’ ” before it can subjected to intense use, Bransfield said.

McCarthy acknowledged the process “has taken a little longer than we all wanted.”

Following the approval in 2016, the committee relaxed a bit while Weston & Sampson prepared the design. “We started again in earnest over the summer,” McCarthy said, adding, “I can’t say enough about the people on the committee.”

Selectman James K. Tripp agreed with his assessment. “Please pass along our thanks for the extra hard work you’ve been doing. There have been a lot of night meetings,” Tripp said.

What’s more, individual committee members have spent time analyzing and comparing equipment for the site “to try and get the best value for our dollars,” Tripp said.

Hearst Connecticut Media file photo Last year, Portland residents approved a $10 million infrastructure bond that included $6 million for construction of a recreation area on the 37-acre Goodrich property.